Facility Site ID: 2899 Cleanup Site ID: 219

Current Status

Whatcom Waterway cleanup site map (click to enlarge)
Whatcom Waterway cleanup site map (click to enlarge)

Last Updated: July 2023

Información en español

Phase 2 Areas Engineering Design Underway

Read Response to Comments

Ecology held a 30-day comment period (April 24 - May 23, 2023) for review of an amendment to the existing Cleanup Action Plan (CAP) for the in-water Whatcom Waterway Site (Site) on the Bellingham waterfront. 

The CAP amendment is part of a legal agreement between Ecology, the Port of Bellingham (Port), the City of Bellingham (City), and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Ecology has also updated and now finalized the Public Participation Plan for the Site which was available for review. This removes the Public Participation Plan as an exhibit to the legal agreement and makes it a standalone document. 

What happens next?
Ecology has reviewed and considered the public comments received on the documents and no edits to the documents are necessary.  Ecology is finalizing the documents.

In fall 2023, construction of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal dredging project will begin with completion scheduled by spring 2024. 

Engineering design of the cleanup action for remaining Phase 2 Site Areas will start in 2023. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2028.

Estimated Site Timeline

  • April 24 – May 23, 2023:  Public comment period
  • May 3, 2023:  Walking Tour (hosted by RE Sources) with virtual Tour video; Open House (hosted by Ecology)
  • July 2023: Public comments addressed and amendment finalized
  • Fall 2023: Begin construction of BST dredging project
  • Spring 2024: Complete construction of BST dredging project
  • 2023 – 2025: Complete engineering design of cleanup action for remaining Phase 2 Site Areas
  • 2025: Begin construction of cleanup action for remaining Phase 2 Site Areas  
  • 2028: Complete construction of cleanup action for remaining Phase 2 Site Areas

General Cleanup Process

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. It provides requirements for contaminated site cleanup and sets standards that protect human health and the environment. Ecology enacts MTCA and oversees cleanups. The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps over a variable timeline.

Public Participation

Current Whatcom Waterway Public Participation Plan

This plan includes information for the public regarding opportunities to get involved in the cleanup process. The outreach activities and mechanisms presented reflect Ecology’s current plans for keeping the public informed and for receiving information and comments from the public.

Status Of Cleanup

Aerial Map of Whatcom Waterway Site Areas (Click to enlarge)
Aerial Map of Whatcom Waterway Site Areas (Click to enlarge)

Portions of the Site have been cleaned up and remaining areas are in the cleanup action plan/engineering step of the formal cleanup process shown above.  

Log Pond Area
In November 2000, Georgia-Pacific, with Ecology oversight, began construction activities to address contaminated sediment within the Log Pond area of the Site. The work, completed in February 2001, placed about 43,000 cubic yards of clean material over an area of about 5.6 acres to isolate contaminated sediment and restore habitat.

To ensure the completed cleanup protects human health and the environment in the long term, scientists are conducting physical, chemical, and biological monitoring.  Monitoring results led to the placement of additional material in select shoreline areas of the Log Pond to prevent erosion as part of the cleanup of Phase 1 Site Areas described below.  

Phase 1 Site Areas
In July 2015, the Port of Bellingham, with Ecology oversight, began construction activities to address contaminated sediment within Phase 1 Site Areas. The work was completed in 2016 and included:

  • Removing 111,446 cubic yards of contaminated sediment
  • Removing 9,962 tons of soil and 265 tons of creosote-treated timber
  • Removing 5,146 tons of concrete and asphalt rubble (over 98% was reused or recycled)
  • Isolating contaminated sediment with 102,950 cubic yards of clean material
  • Installing 36,600 square feet of sheet pile walls on the north side of the waterway to support the upland and prevent contaminated groundwater from entering the waterway

To ensure the completed cleanup protects human health and the environment in the long term, scientists are conducting physical, chemical, and biological monitoring.

Monitored Natural Recovery Areas
Monitoring of the completed cleanup of Phase 1 Site Areas also includes chemical monitoring of natural recovery areas to ensure that contaminated sediment isolated by clean material (due to natural processes) remains isolated.

Phase 2 Site Areas
In 2023, Ecology is amending the existing Cleanup Action Plan (CAP) for Phase 2 Site Areas. The CAP amendment is part of a legal agreement between Ecology, the Port, the City, and the DNR.
 The CAP amendment:

  • sequences design and construction activities to prioritize early cleanup at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal (BST).
  • documents a possible future change to the cleanup action at the head of the Whatcom Waterway to provide habitat benefit.
  • revises the cleanup action for the Aerated Stabilization Basin (ASB), including dredged material disposal, due to changes in land use plans.
  • adds a cleanup standard for dioxin and furan compounds due to regulatory changes.

Site Information

Whatcom Waterway site, Bellingham waterfront, May 2019
Whatcom Waterway site, Bellingham waterfront, May 2019

Background
The over 700 acre Site is located within Bellingham Bay south of the Holly Street bridge in Bellingham, Washington.  Most of the Site is owned by the State of Washington. 

The cleanup of the Log Pond Area (6 acres) was completed in 2001, and Phase 1 Site Areas (18 acres) was completed in 2016. Monitoring of these areas and natural recovery areas (636 acres) continues. The cleanup of Phase 2 Site Areas (71 acres) remains to be performed. 

The Site is one of 12 Bellingham Bay cleanup sites coordinated through the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot.  The Pilot is a bay-wide multi-agency effort to clean up contamination, control pollution sources and restore habitat, with consideration for land and water uses. In 2000, participants in this initiative developed the Bellingham Bay Comprehensive Strategy.


Contamination
The Site includes in-water sediment impacted by contaminants released from past industrial waterfront activities, including discharges from the former Georgia-Pacific chlor-alkali plant, wood waste and degradation products from historic log rafting activities, and pulp mill wastewater discharges.  

As a result of these past industrial activities, studies conducted as part of the cleanup process have shown mercury, 4-methyphenol, and dioxin/furan compounds in sediment at concentrations that exceed the requirements of the state’s cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), and must be addressed.

Translated Content

En español

El Departamento de Ecología le invita a revisor los documentos para el sitio que está contaminado Whatcom Waterway en Bellingham.  

Si le gustaría recibir este documento en español, por favor llame a 425-240-4353 y espere a que un intérprete se una a la llamada o envíe un correo electrónico a preguntas@ecy.wa.gov. Traducciones de avisos públicos para los sitios de limpieza de la Bahía de Bellingham se preparan bajo solicitud.

Requesting Accommodation

To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6831, email ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or visit ecology.wa.gov/Accessibility. For Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341.

If you speak a non-English language, free language services are available.
Legal 13
Map 1
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Site Map 11/2/1915 Map
Public Information 16
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Whatcom Waterway - Response to Comments Consent Decree/Cleanup Action Plan Amendment, Public Participation Plan - July 2023 7/13/2023 Responsiveness Summary
Whatcom Waterway - Public Participation Plan Final - July 2023 7/13/2023 Public Participation Plan
Whatcom Waterway - Consent Decree/Cleanup Action Plan Amendment, Public Participation Plan Postcard - April 2023 4/10/2023 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Whatcom Waterway - Consent Decree/Cleanup Action Plan Amendment, Public Participation Plan Fact Sheet - April 2023 4/10/2023 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Responsiveness Summary - Engineering Design Report phase 1 11/19/2013 Responsiveness Summary
Fact Sheet - Whatcom Waterway engineering design report phase 1 2/26/2013 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Presentation - Consent Decree First Amendment 8/11/2011 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Responsiveness Summary - Consent Decree First Amendment 8/11/2011 Responsiveness Summary
Fact Sheet: Public Comment Period Extended (to 4/27/2011) 3/24/2011 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Whatcom Waterway fact sheet Figure 1 - diagram summary of proposed changes 3/11/2011 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Fact Sheet - Whatcom Waterway: Proposed changes to cleanup action ready for review 3/11/2011 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Responsiveness Summary 9/1/2007 Responsiveness Summary
Whatcom Waterway Consent Decree Available for Public Review 7/1/2007 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Legal Agreement Amendments Available for Public Review 3/1/2005 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Agreed Order for Interim Action available for review 4/1/2002 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
Evaluations of new remedial alternative available for public review and comment 3/1/2002 Fact Sheet\Public Notices
State Environmental Policy Act 5
Technical Reports 60
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Whatcom Waterway Revised Engineering Design Report: Unit 1C Dredging - June 2024 6/17/2024 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway - SHARP Report 5/16/2024 SHARP Report
Whatcom Waterway Phase 2 Areas - Unit 1C Dredging, Engineering Design Report, Nov 2023 12/8/2023 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway - Cleanup Action Plan Amendment Public Review Draft - March 2023 3/31/2023 Cleanup Action Plan
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas Year 5 Compliance Monitoring Report, Text, Tables and Figures - April 2022 4/27/2022 Performance/Confirmational Monitoring Plan or Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 2 Areas Pre-Remedial Design Investigation Data Report, May 2021 5/11/2021 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Whatcom Waterway - Pre-Remedial Design Investigation Work Plan, Addendum No. 3 - August 2020 8/19/2020 Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas Year 3 Compliance Monitoring Report - July 2020 7/20/2020 Performance/Confirmational Monitoring Plan or Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas Year 1 Compliance Monitoring Report - April 2019 5/13/2019 Performance/Confirmational Monitoring Plan or Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas As-Built Report, Appendices D-M - September 2018 9/30/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas As-Built Report, Appendix C - September 2018 9/30/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas As-Built Report, Appendices A-B - September 2018 9/30/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas As-Built Report, Tables, and Figures - September 2018 9/30/2018 Remedial Action/As-Built Report
Sampling and Quality Assurance Project Plan for Compliance Monitoring - Phase 1 6/16/2016 Sampling and Analysis Plan
Whatcom Waterway Final Engineering Design Report Phase 1 Figures 12a-17c 4/10/2015 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway Final Engineering Design Report Phase 1 Figures 1-11 4/10/2015 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway Final Engineering Design Report Phase 1 Appendix J-N 4/10/2015 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway Final Engineering Design Report Phase 1 Appendix F-I 4/10/2015 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway Final Engineering Design Report Phase 1 Appendix A-E 4/10/2015 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway Final Engineering Design Report Phase 1 4/10/2015 Engineering Design Report
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas Design Specifications - May 2013 5/22/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas Design Drawings, Part 2 - May 2013 5/20/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Whatcom Waterway - Phase 1 Areas Design Drawings, Part 1 - May 2013 5/20/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Central Waterfront Shorline Design Investigation - October 2012 1/28/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Central Waterfront-Whatcom Waterway Work Plan Addendum - July 2012 1/28/2013 Site Specific Technical Document - other
Whatcom Waterway preliminary design concept report - August 2012 8/1/2012 Construction Plans and Specifications
Whatcom Waterway pre-remedial design investigation data report - with figures 8/1/2010 Remedial Investigation Report
Supplemental RI/FS -Volume 2, FS, Appendix D 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS -Volume 2, FS, Appendix C 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS -Volume 2, FS, Appendix B 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS-Volume 2, FS, Appendix A 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS -Volume 2, FS 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix A - Pre-remedial design evaluation report (2003) 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix H - Previous PSDDA characterization analyses 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix G - Tables of enrichment ratio summaries 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix F - Colony Wharf sediment sampling report 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix E - Data used to develop site-specific mercury bioaccumulation screening levels 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix D - 2004 ASB sludges & berm sands - Test Results 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix C - 2003 ASB Sampling Data 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix B - Data summaries from 2000 RI/FS 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental RI/FS - Volume 1, RI, Appendix I - Year 5 monitoring report 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Supplemental Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study -Volume 1, RI 10/10/2006 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Interim Action - Log Pond Cleanup, Habitat Restoration Project - Monitoring Report Year 2 12/1/2002 Interim Action Documents
Response to Comments on Draft Supplemental Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement 10/1/2002 Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence)
Supplemental Feasibility Study 3/1/2002 Feasibility Study
Interim Action - Log Pond Cleanup, Habitat Restoration Project - Monitoring Report Year 1 12/1/2001 Interim Action Documents
Whatcom Waterway - Log Pond Cleanup, Habitat Restoration Project, Completion Report, Part 3 - May 2001 5/29/2001 Interim Action Documents
Whatcom Waterway - Log Pond Cleanup, Habitat Restoration Project, Completion Report, Part 2 - May 2001 5/29/2001 Interim Action Documents
Whatcom Waterway - Log Pond Cleanup, Habitat Restoration Project, Completion Report, Part 1 - May 2001 5/29/2001 Interim Action Documents
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 4 Part 4 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 4 Part 3 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 4 Part 2 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 4 Part 1 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 3 Part 4 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 3 Part 3 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 3 Part 2 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 3 Part 1 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 2 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 1 Part 2 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
Whatcom Waterway - 2000 RI/FS Report - Vol. 1 Part 1 7/25/2000 Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study
There may be more documents related to this site. To obtain documents not available electronically, you will need to make a public records request.

Places to see print documents

  • Northwest Regional Office
    15700 Dayton Ave N
    Shoreline, 98133
    Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
  • Ecology Bellingham Field Office
    913 Squalicum Way, Unit 101
    Bellingham, 98225
    This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.
  • Bellingham Public Library
    210 Central Ave
    Bellingham, 98225
    This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.

Contaminants 10

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Other Contaminant - Base/Neutral/Acid Organics B B B
Halogenated Organics - Halogenated Organics B B B B
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants B B B B C
Halogenated Organics - Polychlorinated biPhenyls (PCB) B
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum Products-Unspecified B B B
Non-Halogenated Organics - Phenolic Compounds B B B C
Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons B B B
Other Contaminant - Conventional Contaminants, Organic B B B B
Other Contaminant - Conventional Contaminants, Inorganic B B B B
Other Contaminant - Other Deleterious Substances C
S
Suspected
C
Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
B
Below Cleanup Levels
RA
Remediated-Above
RB
Remediated-Below
R
Remediated
This contaminant list was based on our best information at the time it was entered. It may not reflect current conditions at the site.